TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with teammates after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 to win the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Clemson losing huge piece of championship team to NFL Draft

There was a chance he would stay another year.

Clemson had a phenomenal offensive year and not all of it came from the arm or legs of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Junior running back Wayne Gallman was a huge piece of the puzzle and rushed for 1,133 yards and a career-high 17 touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 152 yards over the course of the season.

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He was overlooked at times in the national and conference landscape because of other backs like Dalvin Cook and James Conner having such great years. However, he's shown that he's a good receiver out of the backfield and has put up the numbers to get some respect from NFL front offices and it seems he believes that as well:

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With Gallman going pro, that leaves Tyshon Dye, Adam Choice, C.J. Fuller, Darlen Rencher and Tavien Feaster to fight for the starting running back spot. The freshman Feaster had a solid year going with two touchdowns and 221 rushing yards after appearing in six games and is expected to seriously compete for the spot having come in as a five-star running back.